A+
13%
Overall NAT. AVG.
0%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
43%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Marion North Carolina National
Cost of living8794100
Goods & Services10098100
Groceries9898100
Health care110108100
Housing5785100
Transportation9292100
Utilities10894100
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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Marion is 7% lower than the North Carolina average
  • The cost of living in Marion is 13% lower than the national average
  • Marion housing is 43% lower than the national average
  • North Carolina general sales tax is 7% lower than the national average
  • North Carolina state income tax is 83% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Marion

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Compare Marion, NC Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

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      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$44,441$3,703$1,037$1,333
      Renters$32,386$2,699$756$972
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Marion, NC, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Marion have a median income of $44,441. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $1,037 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $32,386, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $756.

      North Carolina Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      North Carolina 4.75% 7.5%

      North Carolina Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      North Carolina 4.75% 4.75%

      Goods & Services

      Item Marion National avg. Difference
      Haircut $28.00$24.2615.4%
      Beauty Salon $48.22$45.565.8%
      Toothpaste $3.80$3.702.6%
      Shampoo $1.33$1.283.6%
      Movie $13.07$12.137.7%
      Bowling $15.89$18.0011.7%

      Groceries

      Item Marion National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.47$5.8410.7%
      Fried Chicken $1.46$1.577.0%
      Milk $4.61$4.671.3%
      Potatoes $5.27$4.936.7%
      Pizza $10.44$12.0913.6%
      Beer $10.44$10.410.3%

      Health Care

      Item Marion National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $155.11$125.6823.4%
      Doctor $166.73$135.7822.8%
      Dentist $113.89$113.290.5%
      Ibuprofen $10.57$10.650.7%
      Lipitor $509.86$468.608.8%

      Housing

      Item Marion National avg. Difference
      Home Price $97,400.00$184,700.0047.3%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,256.40$2,346.693.8%
      Apartment Rent $628.00$949.0033.8%

      Transportation

      Item Marion National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.29$3.465.0%
      Tire Balancing $49.99$59.9216.6%

      Utilities

      Item Marion National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $221.84$193.9914.4%
      Phone $186.82$192.252.8%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Old Fort, NC7438613.7%
      West Marion, NC1,1008910.8%
      Glen Alpine, NC1,927928.1%
      Marion, NC7,8538713.1%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Ripley, TN7,8528118.7%
      Campbell, OH7,8478415.9%
      North Springfield, VA7,85914847.9%
      Bonner Springs, KS7,846954.7%
      Newell County, AB7,846n/a 
      Marion, NC7,8538713.1%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.